Absorbent Article with Sensor Array for Body Exudate Detection

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article incorporating a non-contact electronic sensor array that may indicate the presence of a body exudate is disclosed. In particular, the absorbent article includes at least a non-contact electronic sensor array that may include one or more gas sensors, a controller and a signaling device. The signaling device is capable of alerting a user (wearer or caregiver) that an insult of urine or bowel movement has occurred. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller and signaling device to an absorbent article.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinenceproducts, feminine hygiene products, swim undergarments, bed pads, andthe like conventionally include a liquid permeable body-side liner, aliquid impermeable outer cover, and an absorbent core. The absorbentcore is typically located in between the outer cover and the liner fortaking in and retaining urine, bowel movements, and other body exudatesexuded by the wearer.

The absorbent core can be made of, for instance, superabsorbentparticles. Many absorbent articles, especially those sold under thetradename HUGGIES™ by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, are so efficientat absorbing liquids that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether ornot the absorbent article has been insulted with a body exudate such asurine or bowel movement.

Accordingly, various types of moisture, wetness or bowel movementindicators have been suggested for use in absorbent articles in order todetect the presence of a urine or bowel movement insult within anabsorbent article. These indicators may include alarm devices that aredesigned to assist parents or care-givers identify a wet or soileddiaper condition early on. The devices produce either a visual or anaudible signal.

In some embodiments, a wetness indicator has been added to an absorbentarticle to detect urine insults, and in other embodiments, a sensor forodor detection has been added to detect bowel movement insults. In theseembodiments, sensors using conductive materials are incorporated intothe absorbent article where the urine insult or bowel movement insultmust come into close contact with the sensing elements in order for theindicator to detect an insult. For example, the conductive materialsserve as conductive leads for a signaling device and form an opencircuit in the article that can be closed when a body fluid, such asurine, closes the circuit. In these embodiments, although the absorbentarticles may be disposable, the signaling devices are not. Thus, thesignaling devices are intended to be removed from the article andreattached to a subsequent article.

Problems, however, have been encountered in designing an absorbentarticle with conductive materials where the urine or bowel movementcomes into sufficient contact with the conductive materials to close theopen circuit. Further, problems have been experienced in includingconductive materials such as metals within an absorbent article becausesuch materials trigger metal detectors during the shipping process.Additionally, the use of conductive leads makes it difficult formanufacturers of absorbent articles to monitor their products from asafety standpoint. For example, it may be difficult to ensure consumersthat a product is free of all other metals or other foreign objects withthe exception of the conductive leads. Therefore, a need exists for anabsorbent article that can detect both urine and bowel movement insultswithout the use of conductive leads.

Additionally, advances in absorbent article technology with the use ofhydrophobic inner layer in absorbent articles permits urine to passthrough the surface of the absorbent article so that it cannot come incontact with the skin, even after multiple insults. However, feces orbowel movements cannot be absorbed completely into any of these layers,meaning that prolonged contact with skin is inevitable. An electronicdevice that can detect body fluids such as urine and bowel movementcomponents is highly desired, particularly for new users as well asusers of adult care incontinent products. Since several of the priorarts to detect the presence of bowel movements are based on wetnesssensing, they fail to discriminate between urine and bowel movements.This could mislead a user and adds an additional burden to an alreadyoverloaded caregiver. One of the challenges of the marketed indicatorsis that it cannot discriminate between bowel movement, sweat and passinggases. A sensor that can discriminate between urine and bowel movementwould allow for a caregiver to react more quickly to changing anabsorbent containing a bowel movement insult, where prolonged contact ofthe insult with the child's skin can be detrimental to the child'shealth.

SUMMARY

In general, the present disclosure is directed to an improved absorbentarticle including a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controllerand a signaling device that alerts the user of urine and/or bowelmovement insults. The signaling device, for instance, may be configuredto indicate to a user (wearer or caregiver) that insults of urine and/orbowel movement are present in or on the absorbent article. For example,in one embodiment, the absorbent article comprises a diaper or trainingpant and the signaling device is configured to indicate the presence ofurine, a bowel movement or both. In other embodiments, however, thesignaling device may be configured to indicate the presence of yeast ormetabolites depending upon the particular type of absorbent article thatis used in conjunction with the signaling device.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article of the present disclosure mayinclude a housing unit that may be configured to be reused. Thus, thepresent disclosure is directed to an absorbent article with a simple andefficient manner of attaching the housing unit to the absorbent articleso that the non-contact electronic sensor array is in close enoughproximity to an insult within the absorbent article in order to detectgases within an absorbent article, while at the same time maintainingcommunication with the controller and signaling device.

In another embodiment, the absorbent article may comprise a chassis. Thechassis may further comprise an outer cover having an interior surfaceand an exterior surface. There may be an absorbent structure positionedadjacent to the interior surface of the outer cover. Further, thechassis may include a crotch region that is positioned in between afront region and a back region. The front region and the back region maydefine a waist opening and two leg openings between the front region andback region. However, the absorbent article may be a bed pad or matrather than a diaper or training pant with a crotch region and legopenings.

The present disclosure may also include a non-contact electronic sensorarray. The non-contact electronic sensor array may comprise a pluralityof gas sensors. The sensor array can monitor gas concentration levels ofgases emitted by two or more volatile compounds within the absorbentarticle.

In still another embodiment, a controller may be attached to theabsorbent article. The controller can be configured to detect changesabove a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of a pluralityof gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as theresult of an insult within the absorbent article. The insult may beurine, bowel movement, or combinations of both. The non-contactelectronic sensor array can monitor gas concentration levels of gasesassociated with ammonia, indole, and thiols such as mercaptan. Thenon-contact electronic sensor array may also monitor other volatilecompounds such short chain fatty acids, acetic acid, methane, hydrogensulfide, skatole, or combinations thereof. Gases can be measured fromgroups such as fatty alcohols (ethanol, propanol, octanol etc.), smallerchain fatty acids (acetic acid, propanoic acid, etc.) and sulfurcompounds (dimethyl sulfide, indole, thiols, etc.). In anotherembodiment, the non-contact electronic sensor array can monitor changesin humidity and temperature within the absorbent article.

In yet another embodiment, a signaling device may be attached to theabsorbent article. The signaling device may alert a user of changes inthe gas concentration, temperature or humidity levels detected by thecontroller. The signaling device may generate an alert selected from anauditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal, or combinations ofthe three alerts. The signaling device may generate an alert that istransmitted wirelessly to a radio at a remote location. In anotherembodiment, the signaling device can generate an alert that istransmitted to at least one computer device or smart phone. The alertmay be deactivated at or near the absorbent article by the wearer orcaregiver or remotely. The computer device or smart phone can be adaptedto receive data from the signaling device, generate at least one reportutilizing at least a portion of the data, and provide a user orcaregiver access to the data and the at least one report.

In still another embodiment, the signaling device, controller, andnon-contact electronic sensor array may be housed in a housing unit thatcan be attached to the absorbent article. The housing unit can bepositioned in close proximity to absorbent article so that thenon-contact electronic sensor array can detect gases within the interiorof the absorbent article.

The absorbent article of the present disclosure may also comprise a gasemitting substance. The gas emitting substance can emit a gas after aninsult within the absorbent article, and the non-contact electronicsensor array can monitor gas concentration levels of the gas emittingsubstance within the absorbent article.

In still another embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassisthat may have an outer cover with an interior surface and an exteriorsurface. There may be an absorbent structure positioned adjacent theinterior surface of the outer cover. The chassis may also have a crotchregion positioned in between a front region and a back region. The frontregion and back region may define a waist opening, and two leg openingsmay be between the front region and back region.

The present disclosure may also comprise a controller that can beconfigured to detect changes above a threshold level in the gasconcentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within thenon-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult withinthe absorbent article, as well as changes in temperature and humidity.The insult may be urine, bowel movement, or combinations of both. Instill another embodiment, the absorbent article may comprise a signalingdevice that alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration,temperature and humidity levels detected by the controller. Thesignaling device may generate an alert that is transmitted wirelessly toa radio at a remote location, it may generate an alert that istransmitted to at least one computer device or smart phone, or it maygenerate a combination of alerts. The alert may be deactivated at ornear the absorbent article by the wearer or caregiver or remotely. Thecomputer device or smart phone may be adapted to receive data from thesignaling device, generate at least one report utilizing at least aportion of the data, and provide a user access to the data and the atleast one report. The signaling device may also generate an alertselected from the group consisting of an auditory signal, a vibratorysignal, a visual signal, and combinations thereof.

The absorbent article may further comprise a housing unit for thenon-contact electronic sensor array, the controller and the signalingdevice. The housing unit can be connected to the absorbent article aboutthe waist opening or edge of the absorbent article, depending upon thetype of absorbent article being used, such as a diaper, training pant,or bed pad. For example, the housing unit may be positioned about thewaist opening so that the non-contact electronic sensor array faces theinterior of the absorbent article.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a signalingdevice that may include a non-contact electronic sensor array. Thenon-contact electronic sensor array can include a plurality of gassensors. The non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gasconcentration levels of gases emitted by volatile compounds, a gasemitting substance, or combinations thereof within an absorbent article.The signaling device may also include a controller configured to detectchanges above a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of theplurality of gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor arrayas the result of an insult within the absorbent article. The insult canbe urine, bowel movement, or combinations thereof.

Additionally, the signaling device can alert a user of changes in thegas concentration levels detected by the non-contact electronic sensorarray. The signaling device may be contained in a housing unit that isin close proximity to the absorbent article in order to detect changesin gas concentration levels within or on the absorbent article after aninsult.

The signaling device may also generate at least one alert selected froman auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal, or combinationsthereof. The signaling device can then transmit the at least one alertremotely to a radio, a computer device, a smart phone, or combinationsthereof. The computer device or smart phone can be adapted to receivedata from the signaling device, generate at least one report utilizingat least a portion of the data, and provide a user access to the dataand the at least one report. The at least one alert can then bedeactivated at or near the absorbent article or remotely.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed ingreater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure, including the best mode thereof to oneof ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in thespecification, including reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosureincluding one embodiment of a housing unit with non-contact electronicsensor array, controller and signaling device,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a housing unit which maycontain a non-contact electronic sensor array, a controller and asignaling device that may be located at or near the waist opening of anabsorbent article or may transmit a signal to a radio, a computerdevice, a smart phone or indicator/display that is on or near thehousing unit.

FIG. 3 is a graph that is representative of various non-contactelectronic sensor array outputs that can be used to determine if aninsult of urine, bowel movement or both has occurred within or on anabsorbent article.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing how an embodiment of a signalingdevice can transmit data to a computer device or smart phone, which canthen generate data reports for a user or caregiver to access.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of an attachment mechanism for attaching ahousing unit to an absorbent article in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of an attachment mechanism for attaching asignaling device to an absorbent article in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various and alternativeexemplary embodiments and to the accompanying drawings, with likenumerals representing substantially identical structural elements. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation, and not as a limitation. Infact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modificationsand variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe disclosure and claims. For instance, features illustrated ordescribed as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment toyield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the presentdisclosure includes modifications and variations as come within thescope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present disclosure is generally directed to an absorbent articlecomprising a signaling device that may be configured to indicate thepresence of a body exudate such as a urine or bowel movement insult inthe absorbent article or other changes in the condition of the productor wearer, such as changes in temperature or humidity or the presence ofmalodor. The absorbent article may be, for instance, a diaper, atraining pant, an incontinence product, a feminine hygiene product, amedical garment, a bandage, a bed pad or mat, and the like. An absorbentarticle made according to the present disclosure may include anon-contact electronic sensor array, a controller and a signaling devicethat may be contained within a housing unit that attaches, for example,at or near the waist opening of a diaper, a training pant or anincontinence product. The housing unit may also attach to an edge of anyabsorbent article, such as the edge of a bed mat, so long as the housingunit is in close enough proximity to the absorbent article to detect thegases associated with an insult. Generally, the absorbent article may bedisposable, meaning that it is designed to be discarded after a limiteduse rather than being laundered or otherwise restored for reuse.

The non-contact electronic sensor array can be attached to the absorbentarticle of the present disclosure, although depending on the sensitivityof the sensors that may be used in the sensor array, attachment to theabsorbent article may not be necessary. Additionally, the non-contactsensor array can be linked to a controller (microprocessor such as amulticomponent data analyzer) and a signaling device. The non-contactelectronic sensor array, controller and signaling device may becontained within a single housing unit. The non-contact electronicsensor array may contain a plurality of gas sensors where each gassensor monitors the level of gas emitted by a substance within theabsorbent article. The gas may be emitted by a substance due to thepresence of urine or bowel movement in the absorbent article.

Urine may contain inorganic salts, urea, organic compounds, or organicammonium salts broken down into content of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen,hydrogen and organic sulfur. Bowel movement or feces may containmethane, dimethyl sulfide, indole, skatole, or short chain fatty acids,among other components. Contents of urine and feces may include volatilecompounds. Such volatile compounds can be found within an absorbentarticle after an insult such as urine or bowel movement. The non-contactelectronic sensor array can be composed of individual gas sensors thatseparately monitor such volatile compounds (VCs) as short chain fattyacids (acetic acid), ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, dimethylsulfide, skatole and indole. As used herein, the term “volatilecompound” is meant to include both the organic and inorganic metabolicgases and compounds produced by microbes present in body wastes orexudates.

Particular VCs may be associated with one or more types of bodyexudates, including but not limited to urine and bowel movement. VCscommonly associated with urine include, for example, ammonia compounds(e.g., ammonia hydroxide), short chain (C₁-C₂) acids (e.g., aceticacid), medium length (C₈-C₁₀) aldehydes (e.g., nonanal), ketones (e.g.,methyl ethyl ketone), cresol (e.g., methylphenol), dimethyl disulfide,trimethylamine, limonene (e.g., 4-isopropenyl-1-methylcyclohexane),acetic acid, methyl benzoate, benzamide, benzaldehyde, andtriethylamine, among others. VCs commonly associated with bowel movementor feces include, for example, skatole (e.g., 3-methyl-1H-indole,3-methylindole, etc.), mercaptans (e.g., 2-mercaptoethanol),hydrogensulfide, short chain fatty acids (e.g., myristic acid),methanethiol (e.g., 2-mercaptoethanol), and dimethylsulfide, amongothers. Some of the most common VCs in bowel movement or feces includeshort chain fatty acids, indole and dimethyl sulfide. Other VCs in bowelmovement or feces include but are not limited to 4-methylphenol,pentanoic acid, 2- or 3-methylfuran, carbon disulfide, butanoic acid,ethanoic acid, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 2-pentanone 2-butanone,2,3-butanedione, acetaldehyde, acetone, 2-heptanone, propanal, hexanal,and 3-methy.

The absorbent article may also contain a gas emitting substance thatemits a gas when a urine or bowel movement insult occurs, and thenon-contact electronic sensor array may be composed of at least one gassensor that monitors the gas emitted from the gas-emitting substance.One advantage of the addition of a gas emitting substance is that thevolume of gas produced immediately after an insult may be so high thatan insult can be detected more quickly than when gases only associatedwith an insult or present. Gases associated with a urine or bowelmovement insult may not be present in quantities as large as associatedwith the gas emitting substance, which could cause detection of theinsult to take a longer amount of time.

For example, sodium bicarbonate or another substance that can emit a gasmay be placed within the absorbent article during the manufacturingprocess or at some other time before the absorbent article is used bythe consumer. The substances that may be included in the absorbentarticle can be in the form of powders, particles, flakes, fibers,agglomerates, granules, spheres, tablets, or lotions and may or may notbe encapsulated. The materials can be incorporated into the absorbentarticle itself such as into the absorbent core or in a material such asa panty liner that may be added to the absorbent article at a latertime. Upon the occurrence of a urine or bowel movement insult, thesodium bicarbonate or other substance such as a bicarbonate/citric acidpowder mix can emit a gas, and the non-contact electronic sensor arraycan contain a sensor capable of monitoring the level of that gas. Amicroencapsulated film inside the absorbent article can also be used toemit a gas that can be detected by the sensors in the non-contactelectronic sensor array. Water soluble films such as polyvinyl alcoholand polysaccharide film, available from MonoSol, LLC in Merrillville,Ind., can be used to encapsulate volatile substances such as a fragrantor menthol. These encapsulated materials can be placed in the absorbentarticle, and when wet, the film can be dissolved and release volatilesubstance that can be detected by the non-contact electronic sensorarray. The processes by which the gas emitting substance can beincorporated into an absorbent article are described in U.S. PatentApplication 2011/0152806A1 published Jun. 23, 2011 by Zhou, et al.Additionally, the controller can be programmed to recognize a gas levelof the substance above a threshold level that can indicate the presenceof a urine or bowel movement insult within the absorbent article. Inanother embodiment, the non-contact gas-sensor array can monitor thetemperature and humidity within the absorbent article. The sensors thatmonitor temperature and humidity can be used alone or in combinationwith each other and the other sensors used for monitoring VCs.

A non-contact electronic sensor array and controller combination can bedescribed as an array of sensors that may be of varying specificity inorder to monitor VCs that could be present in a gas sample. An array ofsensors or possibly a single device may detect particular odors, andthen a controller such as a microprocessor uses pattern recognition toidentify particular odors within a sample. The gas sample comes intocontact with the sensor array, where each sensor in the array has theability to identify a gas associated with particular substances. Morethan one sensor can be grouped in an array so that the controller candiscriminate between various gases detected by various sensors, whichmay require a high level of independence amongst the sensors and howthey operate to monitor a gas because of cross-correlation andredundancy. The sensors can be conductivity sensors, piezoelectricsensors, optical sensors or metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors. MOSsensors are commercially available and are often used because of theirhigh sensitivity to a wide range of organic compounds and gases.However, other types of sensors are also commercially available,including but not limited to those mentioned above.

One way in which a sensor works is that when a sample of a particulargas comes into contact with a sensor designed to monitor that gas, thesensor undergoes a physical or chemical change. This, in turn, causes achange in an electrical signal, which may be detected by a controller.The controller can be pre-conditioned to recognize that certain patternsare associated with certain gases, and it is thus able to detect gasesassociated with urine insults, bowel movement insults or othersubstances within an absorbent article.

Determining what sensors to use in the non-contact electronic sensorarray depends on the substances to be detected. Individual sensorsdesigned to measure gas concentration levels associated with particularVCs or other substances can be selected. These sensors can then bearranged within a non-contact electronic sensor array so that more thanone gas can be monitored at a time. The suitability of a particularsensor material for monitoring a VC, another gas-emitting substance,temperature or humidity can be easily and readily determined by oneskilled in the art based in part on the disclosure herein.

The controller can read gas levels monitored by the gas sensors in thenon-contact electronic sensor array and analyze the data to identify aurine insult, a bowel movement insult, the presence of anothergas-emitting substance upon the occurrence of a urine or bowel movementinsult, or changes in humidity or temperature within the absorbentarticle. The controller can first read initial gas concentration levelsmonitored or detected by the non-contact electronic sensor array. Theselevels can then be calibrated to reflect a null value or zero, and thenany change from these calibrated values is monitored. If a change in gasconcentration levels, temperature or humidity above a certain thresholdoccurs, the controller may trigger an alarm through a signaling device.

The signaling device can provide power to the controller while alsoincluding an audible, visible and/or vibratory signal or alert thatindicates to the user the presence of a urine insult or bowel movementinsult. Any alerts from the signaling device can also be remotelyactivated or displayed on smart phones or computers. In anotherembodiment, an alert may also be sent to a wireless radio. In yetanother embodiment, the alert may be sent to an indicator or display onthe housing unit or some other area near the absorbent article so thatthe wearer can be alerted of an insult. The alerts can be deactivatedremotely or at or near the signaling device itself. As alerts may bevisual, auditory, vibratory or sent remotely to a computer device orsmart phone, a caregiver can modify the type of alarm based on the levelof discreteness that is desired. For example, if the caregiver is athome with the wearer of the article, it may be more appropriate to havean auditory alert, while if the caregiver and wearer are in a publicplace, a remote alert sent to a smart phone or a silent alert such as avisual alert may be more appropriate. Although the absorbent articleitself is typically disposable, the signaling device may be reusablefrom article to article. In this regard, the present disclosure isparticularly directed to the non-contact electronic sensor array, thecontroller, the signaling device and the attachment mechanisms thatallow easy connection between the non-contact electronic sensor array,the controller, the signaling device and the absorbent article. Forexample, the non-contact electronic sensor array, the controller and thesignaling device can all be contained within a single housing unit thatattaches to the waist opening of a diaper or training pant or the edgeof an absorbent article such as a bed mat via the use of a clip-on orother device.

The housing unit may be connected at or near the waist opening of theabsorbent article via a clip on device or other means, where thenon-contact electronic sensor array may face the interior of theabsorbent article. If the non-contact electronic sensor array is part ofan embodiment that includes a housing unit, small holes can be locatedon the housing unit in a manner that results in the holes being exposedto the interior of an absorbent article to allow for sufficient gassampling by the non-contact electronic sensor array. Alternatively, thehousing unit may be connected to the absorbent article via other means,so long as it is possible for the non-contact electronic sensor arrayportion to be in close enough proximity to the interior of the absorbentarticle to detect gases within the absorbent article. For example, thehousing unit may be clipped or connected to the edge of a bed pad ormat.

As described above, the non-contact electronic sensor array incombination with the signaling device may be configured to indicate thepresence of a urine or bowel movement insult within an absorbentarticle. However, the particular targeted insult may vary depending uponthe particular type of absorbent article and the desired application,For instance, in one embodiment, the absorbent article comprises adiaper, a training pant, or the like and the signaling device isconfigured to indicate the presence of urine. Alternatively, thesignaling device may be configured to indicate the presence of avolatile compound that would indicate the presence of a solid bowelmovement or fluid-like bowel movement. Further still, the signalingdevice may be configured to indicate the presence of both urine andbowel movement, which can be more fluid-like than solid based on theage, diet or other traits of the wearer of the absorbent article.

Referring to FIG. 1 for exemplary purposes, an absorbent article 20 thatmay be made in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. Theabsorbent article 20 may or may not be disposable. It is understood thatthe present disclosure is suitable for use with various other absorbentarticles intended for personal wear, including but not limited todiapers, training pants, swim pants, feminine hygiene products,incontinence products, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, bedpads or mats, other personal care or health care garments, and the likewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure, althoughonly an absorbent article in the form of a diaper, training pant, orincontinence product may be shown. By way of illustration only, variousmaterials and methods for constructing absorbent articles such as theabsorbent article 20 of the various aspects of the present disclosureare described in PCT Patent Application WO 00/37009 published Jun. 29,2000 by A. Fletcher et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464 issued Jul. 10, 1990to Van Gompel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,389 issued Jun. 16, 1998 toBrandon et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,190 issued Nov. 11, 2003 toOlson et al. which are incorporated herein by reference to the extentthey are consistent (i.e., not in conflict) herewith.

An absorbent article 20 is representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 in apartially fastened condition. The absorbent article 20 defines a pair oflongitudinal end regions, otherwise referred to herein as a front region22 and a back region 24, and a center region, otherwise referred toherein as a crotch region 26, extending longitudinally between andinterconnecting the front and back regions 22, 24. The absorbent article20 also defines an inner surface 28 adapted in use (e.g., positionedrelative to the other components of the article 20) to be disposedtoward the wearer, and an outer surface 30 opposite the inner surface.The front and back regions 22, 24 are those portions of the absorbentarticle 20, which when worn, wholly or partially cover or encircle thewaist or mid-lower torso of the wearer. The crotch region 26 generallyis that portion of the absorbent article 20 which, when worn, ispositioned between the legs of the wearer and covers the lower torso andcrotch of the wearer. The absorbent article 20 has a pair of laterallyopposite side edges 36 and a pair of longitudinally opposite waistedges, respectively designated front waist edge 38 and back waist edge39.

The illustrated absorbent article 20 includes a chassis 32 that, in thisembodiment, encompasses the front region 22, the back region 24, and thecrotch region 26. Note, however, that other absorbent articles such asbed mats may be used instead. Referring to FIG. 1, the chassis 32includes an outer cover 40 and a bodyside liner 42 that may be joined tothe outer cover 40 in a superimposed relation therewith by adhesives,ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds or other conventional techniques.Referring to FIG. 1, the liner 42 may suitably be joined to the outercover 40 along the perimeter of the chassis 32 to form a front waistseam and a back waist seam. The liner 42 may suitably be joined to theouter cover 40 to form a pair of side seams in the front region 22 andthe back region 24. The liner 42 can be generally adapted, i.e.,positioned relative to the other components of the article 20, to bedisposed toward the wearer's skin during wear of the absorbent article.The chassis 32 may further include an absorbent structure disposedbetween the outer cover 40 and the bodyside liner 42 for absorbingliquid or solid body exudates exuded by the wearer, and may furtherinclude a pair of containment flaps 46 secured to the bodyside liner 42for inhibiting the lateral flow of body exudates.

The elasticized containment flaps 46 as shown in FIG. 1 define apartially unattached edge which assumes an upright configuration in atleast the crotch region 26 of the absorbent article 20 to form a sealagainst the wearer's body. The containment flaps 46 can extendlongitudinally along the entire length of the chassis 32 or may extendonly partially along the length of the chassis. Suitable constructionsand arrangements for the containment flaps 46 are generally well knownto those skilled in the art and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,116issued Nov. 3, 1987 to Enloe, which is incorporated herein by reference.

To further enhance containment and/or absorption of body exudates, theabsorbent article 20 may also suitably include leg elastic members (notshown), as are known to those skilled in the art. The leg elasticmembers can be operatively joined to the outer cover 40 and/or thebodyside liner 42 and positioned in the crotch region 26 of theabsorbent article 20.

The leg elastic members can be formed of any suitable elastic material.As is well known to those skilled in the art, suitable elastic materialsinclude sheets, strands or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber,or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. The elastic materials can bestretched and adhered to a substrate, adhered to a gathered substrate,or adhered to a substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for examplewith the application of heat, such that elastic retractive forces areimparted to the substrate. In one particular aspect, for example, theleg elastic members may include a plurality of dry-spun coalescedmultifilament spandex elastomeric threads sold under the trade nameLYCRA and available from Invista, Wilmington, Del., U.S.A.

In some embodiments, the absorbent article 20 may further include asurge management layer (not shown) which may be optionally locatedadjacent the absorbent structure 44 and attached to various componentsin the article 20 such as the absorbent structure 44 or the bodysideliner 42 by methods known in the art, such as by using an adhesive. Asurge management layer helps to decelerate and diffuse surges or gushesof liquid or other waste that may be rapidly introduced into theabsorbent structure of the article. Desirably, the surge managementlayer can rapidly accept and temporarily hold the liquid or other wasteprior to releasing the liquid or other waste into the storage orretention portions of the absorbent structure. Examples of suitablesurge management layers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,166; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,490,846. Other suitable surge management materials aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,973. The entire disclosures of thesepatents are hereby incorporated by reference herein to the extent theyare consistent (i.e., not in conflict) herewith.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 20 may further include a pairof opposing elastic side panels 34 that are attached to the back regionof the chassis 32. As shown particularly, the side panels 34 may bestretched around the waist and/or hips of a wearer in order to securethe garment in place. As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic side panels areattached to the chassis along a pair of opposing longitudinal edges 37.The side panels 34 may be attached or bonded to the chassis 32 using anysuitable bonding technique. For instance, the side panels 34 may bejoined to the chassis by adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, orother conventional techniques.

In an alternative embodiment, the elastic side panels may also beintegrally formed with the chassis 32. For instance, the side panels 34may comprise an extension of the bodyside liner 42, of the outer cover40, or of both the bodyside liner 42 and the outer cover 40.

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, the side panels 34 are connected tothe back region of the absorbent article 20 and extend over the frontregion of the article when securing the article in place on a user. Itshould be understood, however, that the side panels 34 may alternativelybe connected to the front region of the article 20 and extend over theback region when the article is donned.

With the absorbent article 20 in the fastened position as partiallyillustrated in FIG. 1, the elastic side panels 34 may be connected by afastening system to define a 3-dimensional diaper configuration having awaist opening 50 and a pair of leg openings 52. The waist opening 50 ofthe article 20 is defined by the waist edges 38 and 39 which encirclethe waist of the wearer.

In the embodiments shown in the FIG. 1, the side panels are releasablyattachable to the front region 22 of the article 20 by the fasteningsystem. It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments theside panels may be permanently joined to the chassis 32 at each end. Theside panels may be permanently bonded together, for instance, whenforming a training pant or absorbent swimwear.

The elastic side panels 34 each have a longitudinal outer edge (notshown), a leg end edge 70 disposed toward the longitudinal center of thediaper 20, and waist end edges 72 disposed toward a longitudinal end ofthe absorbent article. The leg end edges 70 of the absorbent article 20may be suitably curved and/or angled to provide a better fit around thewearer's legs. However, it is understood that only one of the leg endedges 70 may be curved or angled, such as the leg end edge of the backregion 24, or alternatively, neither of the leg end edges may be curvedor angled, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Ultimately, the side panels 34 are generally aligned with a waist region90 of the chassis 32.

The fastening system may include laterally opposite first fasteningcomponents 82 adapted for refastenable engagement to correspondingsecond fastening components (not shown). In the embodiment shown in thefigures, the first fastening component 82 is located on the elastic sidepanels 34, while the second fastening component may be located on thefront region 22 of the chassis 32. In one aspect, a front or outersurface of each of the fastening components includes a plurality ofengaging elements. The engaging elements of the first fasteningcomponents 82 are adapted to repeatedly engage and disengagecorresponding engaging elements of the second fastening components toreleasably secure the article 20 in its three-dimensional configuration.

The fastening components may be any refastenable fasteners suitable forabsorbent articles, such as adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners,mechanical fasteners, or the like. In particular aspects the fasteningcomponents include mechanical fastening elements for improvedperformance. Suitable mechanical fastening elements can be provided byinterlocking geometric shaped materials, such as hooks, loops, bulbs,mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on sterns, male and female matingcomponents, buckles, snaps, or the like.

The first fastening components 82 may include hook fasteners and thesecond fastening components may include complementary loop fasteners.Alternatively, the first fastening components 82 may include loopfasteners and the second fastening components may be complementary hookfasteners. In another aspect, the fastening components can beinterlocking similar surface fasteners, or adhesive and cohesivefastening elements such as an adhesive fastener and anadhesive-receptive landing zone or material; or the like. One skilled inthe art will recognize that the shape, density and polymer compositionof the hooks and loops may be selected to obtain the desired level ofengagement between the fastening components. Suitable fastening systemsare also disclosed in the previously incorporated PCT Patent ApplicationWO 00/37009 published Jun. 29, 2000 by A. Fletcher et al. and thepreviously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,190 issued Nov. 11, 2003 toOlson et al.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fastening components 82 areattached to the side panels 34 along the edges. In this embodiment, thefastening components 82 are not elastic or extendable. In otherembodiments, however, the fastening components may be integral with theside panels 34. For example, the fastening components may be directlyattached to the side panels 34 on a surface thereof.

In addition to possibly having elastic side panels, the absorbentarticle 20 may include various waist elastic members for providingelasticity around the waist opening. For example, as shown in thefigures, the absorbent article 20 can include a front waist elasticmember 54 and/or a back waist elastic member 56.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for exemplary purposes, a housing unit 102that contains, for example, a non-contact electronic sensor array 104, acontroller 106 and a signaling device 110 is shown attached to theabsorbent article 20. In this embodiment, the signaling device generally110 includes a transmitter 112 that communicates with a receiver 114.The receiver can be a radio, a computer device or a smart phone. Thetransmitter 112 can be housed in the housing unit 102 with thenon-contact electronic sensor array 104 and controller 106. When aninsult is present in or on the absorbent article 20, the controller 106detects changes in gas levels monitored by the non-contact electronicsensor array 104, which, in turn, activates the signaling device 110. Inone embodiment, the non-contact electronic sensor array is able tomonitor gas levels through visible openings 108 in the housing unit 102.In another embodiment, it is possible that the housing unit could beconstructed of a porous material so that a sufficient amount of gascould enter into the housing unit, to allow the non-contact electronicsensor array to detect the presence of any gases.

In still another embodiment, the transmitter 112 may send a wirelesssignal or alert to the receiver 114 which then indicates to a user thaturine or bowel movement insult is present in the absorbent article. Thesignaling device 110 can emit an audible signal, a visual signal and/ora vibratory signal in order to indicate to the user that an insult hasbeen detected. The audible signal, for instance, may be as simple as oneor more beeps to perhaps emitting a musical tune. Similarly, if thesignaling device 110 issues a visible signal, the visible signal maycomprise a few lights or an interactive display. The signals or alertsmay be deactivated remotely or at or near the opening of the absorbentarticle. In still another embodiment, the receiver 114 of the signalingdevice 110 may be configured to vibrate when an insult has beendetected.

As described above, the signaling device 110 can be configured toindicate the presence of any insult within the absorbent article 20. Theinsult may comprise, for instance, urine and/or bowel movement, whichmay or may not be fluid-like. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the signaling device 110 includes a transmitter 112 in combination witha receiver 114. It should also be understood, however, that thesignaling device may be a single unit that is located on or near theabsorbent article 20. For example, the signaling device may be mountedon the absorbent article and issue a visible signal and/or an audiblesignal from the article itself so that the wearer or another person suchas a caregiver who is close by can be notified of an insult.Additionally, it should be understood that data from the signalingdevice may be transmitted to a radio, computer or smartphone through awireless network or other means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the housing unit 102 that may beattached to the absorbent article contains a non-contact electronicsensor array 104 which could have a temperature sensor 96, a humiditysensor 98, at least one individual gas sensor 100, a controller 106 anda signaling device 110, which can include a transmitter 112 and areceiver 114. Additionally, openings 108 may be present on the signalingdevice that allow the non-contact electronic sensor array 104 to beexposed to a sufficient gas sample in order to detect in the presence ofone or more gases. In another embodiment, a gas sample can reach thenon-contact electronic sensor array by traveling through a housing unitmade of a porous material. In yet another embodiment of a housing unit,if the signal is being expressed to the wearer, the receiver is presenton or near the housing unit itself. Meanwhile, if the signal is beingexpressed to another user, such as a caregiver, through means such as awireless radio, a computer device or a smart phone, the transmitter maysend a wireless signal to a receiver located some distance away from thetransmitter and signaling device. The signal may be deactivated remotelyor at or near the absorbent article.

FIG. 3 shows the data that an embodiment of an electronic sensor arraycan collect. The graph shows gas concentrations monitored by oneembodiment of the non-contact electronic sensor array. The outputconcentration levels vary for a fecal or bowel movement insult (labeled“BM” for bowel movement insult on the graph) and a urine insult as shownby the different levels of gas present in each of the gas samples. Thegas concentrations can be detected by rising above a minimum thresholdlevel after each of the individual sensors or the sensor array werecalibrated and zeroed outside the presence of an insult. The graph showsthe gas levels monitored by at least one sensor. It should be pointedout here that more than one sensor can be used within the non-contactelectronic sensor array to detect urine insults and bowel movementinsults within one embodiment. It should be noted that gasconcentrations depend on diet, the amount of insult, as well as thetime. The sensors are capable of detecting gas concentrations of a fewparts per million (PPM) to thousands of PPM. Whether or not a potentialinsult within an absorbent article is a false alarm or not is decided bythe controller. The gas sensors are only for reading the concentrationvalues. A processor within the controller can determine whether areading by the controller is an insult or a false alarm (e.g.flatulence) by analyzing the signal. For example, a gas concentrationreading may be very high in the event of flatulence, but it diminishesin a very short amount of time compared gas concentration readingsassociated with an insult inside the absorbent article.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram describing how a signaling device may connectwith a computer device or smart phone, which can then generate datareports for the user to access. In one embodiment, after a non-contactelectronic sensor array has monitored at least one gas level and amicrocontroller has detected an increase above a threshold level throughpattern recognition and data analysis to indicate the presence of aurine insult, a bowel movement insult, or both, a signaling device maytransmit an alert to a location in close proximity to the absorbentarticle, such as near the waist opening of an absorbent article or atthe edge of an absorbent article to inform the wearer or a caregiver whois close by. In another embodiment, the user or caregiver may wish toreceive an alert at a remote location, such as via a wireless radio. Instill another embodiment, the user or caregiver may wish to have thealerts sent to a computer device or smart phone. When sent to a computerdevice or smart phone, the alert may be visual or auditory, or the alertmay be stored as data along with previous and future alerts. In thismanner, the user or caregiver may be able to call up the data from thecomputer device or smart phone to determine the number and type ofinsults within an absorbent article that is being monitored. The user orcaregiver can view a report generated on a computer device or smartphonethat was transmitted to the computer device or smartphone from thesignaling device and can access the report for various uses.

Different attachment mechanisms for attaching the housing unitcontaining the non-contact electronic sensor array, controller andsignaling device to the absorbent article will now be described indetail with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. It should be noted that while theattachment mechanisms shown in the figures below generally incorporatetwo plates or sides, the non-contact electronic sensor array 104 can bepositioned in one embodiment so that it is on a plate or side facing theinterior or absorbent layer of the absorbent article in order to be ableto detect gases due to a urine and/or bowel movement insult.

Referring to FIG. 5, an embodiment of an attachment mechanism that maybe used to attach the housing unit 102 to an absorbent article 20 isshown. In this embodiment, the housing unit 102 comprises a firstexterior plate 130 spaced from a second interior plate 132. The firstexterior plate 130 should be placed on the outside or non-absorbentportion of the absorbent article 20. In one embodiment, the secondinterior plate 132 can be placed on the inside or absorbent portion ofthe absorbent article 20 so that the gases emitted from the absorbentarticle 20 after an insult will be able to reach the openings 108. Oncethe gases reach the openings 108 in the housing unit 102, then thenon-contact electronic sensor array 104 can monitor gas concentrationlevels, and then the controller 106 can detect any changes in the gasconcentration levels due to an insult. Note also that the non-contactelectronic sensor array 104 can monitor changes in temperature andhumidity that the controller 106 may then detect. Additionally, an endof the first exterior plate 130 may be pivotally connected to an end ofthe second interior plate 132 about a hinge 134.

In order to attach the housing unit 102 to the absorbent article 20, thefirst exterior plate 130 includes a pair of prongs that serve as thefirst terminal 116 and the second terminal 118. As shown in the drawing,the plates 130 and 132 of the housing unit 102 are configured to beplaced over an edge of the chassis, such as about a waist opening, andbrought together such that the prongs 116 and 118 pierce the chassis andlock into place. Note, however, that the plates may also be placed overthe edge of an absorbent article, such as a bed pad or mat.

Referring to FIG. 6, still another embodiment of a housing unit 102connected to an absorbent article 20 is shown. In this embodiment, thehousing unit 102 may include a clip device comprising a first exteriorplate 130 spaced from a second interior plate 132. The plates 130 and132 are integral with each other and are made from a flexible materialthat allows the plates to be separated from each other for placing thesignaling device over an edge on an absorbent article. Once the plates,however, are placed on the absorbent article, the plates are biasedtowards each other for holding the signaling device in place. In thismanner, the housing unit 102 has a paper clip-like structure. In thismanner, the housing unit 102 may be positioned securely to the absorbentarticle. Note that the plates shown are connected to the waist openingof an absorbent article, but they may also be placed over the edge of anabsorbent article such as a bed pad or mat.

In one embodiment, placing the second interior plate 132 on the insideof the absorbent article 20 allows the gases emitted from the absorbentarticle 20 after an insult to reach the openings 108 in the housing unit102. Once the gases reach the openings 108, then the non-contactelectronic sensor array 104 can monitor gas concentration levels, andthen the controller 106 can detect any changes in the gas concentrationlevels due to an insult.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing unit 102can be made from any suitable material. For example, in one embodiment,the housing unit can be made from a flexible plastic material. It shouldbe understood, however, that elastomeric materials and metal materialsmay also be used. Additionally, at least a portion of the housing unitmay be made of porous or mesh-like material to allow for the non-contactelectronic sensor array to receive a sufficient gas sample to monitorgas levels above a threshold level.

As described above, the present disclosure is particularly directed toincorporating a body exudate indicating system that may be able todetect the presence of urine and/or bowel movement in the absorbentarticle 20. The remaining materials used to form the absorbent article20 that surround the waist elastic members 54 and 56 may vary dependingupon the particular application and the particular product beingproduced.

The outer cover 40, for instance, may be breathable and/or may be liquidimpermeable. The outer cover 40 may be constructed of a single layer,multiple layers, laminates, spunbond fabrics, films, meltblown fabrics,elastic netting, microporous webs, bonded card webs or foams provided byelastomeric or polymeric materials. The outer cover 40, for instance,can be a single layer of a liquid impermeable material, or alternativelycan be a multi-layered laminate structure in which at least one of thelayers is liquid impermeable. In other embodiments, however, it shouldbe understood that the outer cover may be liquid permeable. In thisembodiment, for instance, the absorbent article may contain an interiorliquid barrier layer.

For instance, the outer cover 40 can include a liquid permeable outerlayer and a liquid impermeable inner layer that are suitably joinedtogether by a laminate adhesive, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, or thelike. Suitable laminate adhesives, which can be applied continuously orintermittently as beads, a spray, parallel swirls, or the like, can beobtained from Bostik Findley Adhesives, Inc., of Wauwatosa, Wis.,U.S.A., or from National Starch and Chemical Company, Bridgewater, N.J.,U.S.A. The liquid permeable outer layer can be any suitable material andis desirably one that provides a generally cloth-like texture. Oneexample of such a material is a 20 gsm (grams per square meter)spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web. The outer layer may also be madeof those materials of which the liquid permeable bodyside liner 42 ismade.

The inner layer of the outer cover 40 can be both liquid and vaporimpermeable, or it may be liquid impermeable and vapor permeable. Theinner layer can be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although otherflexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The inner layer,or the liquid impermeable outer cover 40 when a single layer, preventswaste material from wetting articles, such as bed sheets and clothing,as well as the wearer and caregiver. A suitable liquid impermeable filmfor use as a liquid impermeable inner layer, or a single layer liquidimpermeable outer cover 40, is a 0.02 millimeter polyethylene filmcommercially available from Pliant Corporation of Schaumburg, Ill.,U.S.A.

The bodyside liner 42 is suitably compliant, soft-feeling, andnon-irritating to the wearer's skin. The bodyside liner 42 is alsosufficiently liquid permeable to permit liquid body exudates to readilypenetrate through its thickness to the absorbent structure (not shown).A suitable bodyside liner 42 may be manufactured from a wide selectionof web materials, such as porous foams, reticulated foams, aperturedplastic films, woven and non-woven webs, or a combination of any suchmaterials. For example, the bodyside liner 42 may include a meltblownweb, a spunbonded web, or a bonded-carded-web composed of naturalfibers, synthetic fibers or combinations thereof. The bodyside liner 42may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and thehydrophobic material may optionally be treated with a surfactant orotherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability andhydrophilicity.

The absorbent structure may be disposed between the outer cover 40 andthe bodyside liner 42. The absorbent structure can be any structure orcombination of components which are generally compressible, conformable,non-irritating to a wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing andretaining liquids and certain body wastes. For example, the absorbentstructure may include an absorbent web material of cellulosic fibers(e.g., wood pulp fibers), other natural fibers, synthetic fibers, wovenor nonwoven sheets, scrim netting or other stabilizing structures,superabsorbent material, binder materials, surfactants, selectedhydrophobic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents or thelike, as well as combinations thereof. In a particular aspect, theabsorbent web material is a matrix of cellulosic fluff andsuperabsorbent hydrogel-forming particles. The cellulosic fluff mayinclude a blend of wood pulp fluff. One preferred type of fluff isidentified with the trade designation CR 1654, available from Bowater ofGreenville, S.C., USA, and is a bleached, highly absorbent sulfate woodpulp containing primarily southern soft wood fibers. The absorbentmaterials may be formed into a web structure by employing variousconventional methods and techniques. For example, the absorbent web maybe formed with a dry-forming technique, an air forming technique, awet-forming technique, a foam-forming technique, or the like, as well ascombinations thereof. Methods and apparatus for carrying out suchtechniques are well known in the art. Furthermore, the absorbentstructure may itself encompass multiple layers in the Z direction. Suchmultiple layers may take advantage of differences in absorbencycapacity, such as by placing a lower capacity absorbent material layercloser to the liner 42 and a higher capacity absorbent material closerto the outer cover layer 40. Likewise, discrete portions of an absorbentsingle-layered structure may encompass higher capacity absorbents, andother discrete portions of the structure may encompass lower capacityabsorbents.

As a general rule, the superabsorbent material is present in theabsorbent web in an amount of from about 0 to about 100 weight percentbased on total weight of the web. The web may have a density within therange of about 0.10 to about 0.60 grams per cubic centimeter.

Superabsorbent materials are well known in the art and can be selectedfrom natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials.The superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silicagels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers. Typically, asuperabsorbent material is capable of absorbing at least about 10 timesits weight in liquid, and desirably is capable of absorbing more thanabout 25 times its weight in liquid. Suitable superabsorbent materialsare readily available from various suppliers. For example,superabsorbent materials are available from Evonik Industries, Germany.

After being formed or cut into a desired shape, the absorbent webmaterial may be wrapped or encompassed by a suitable tissue or meltblownweb or the like wrap sheet that aids in maintaining the integrity andshape of the absorbent structure.

The absorbent web material may also be a coform material. The term“coform material” generally refers to composite materials comprising amixture or stabilized matrix of thermoplastic fibers and a secondnon-thermoplastic material. As an example, coform materials may be madeby a process in which at least one meltblown die head is arranged near achute through which other materials are added to the web while it isforming. Such other materials may include, but are not limited to,fibrous organic materials such as woody or non-woody pulp such ascotton, rayon, recycled paper, pulp fluff and also superabsorbentparticles, inorganic absorbent materials, treated polymeric staplefibers and the like. Any of a variety of synthetic polymers may beutilized as the melt-spun component of the coform material. Forinstance, in certain aspects, thermoplastic polymers can be utilized.Some examples of suitable thermoplastics that can be utilized includepolyolefins, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and thelike; polyamides; and polyesters. In one aspect, the thermoplasticpolymer is polypropylene. Some examples of such coform materials aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No.5,284,703 to Everhart, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,624 to Georger,et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent theyare consistent (i.e., not in conflict) herewith.

These and other modifications and variations to the present disclosuremay be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which ismore particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, itshould be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may beinterchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is byway of example only, and is not intended to limit the disclosure sofurther described in such appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising: a chassiscomprising an outer cover having an interior surface and an exteriorsurface and an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interiorsurface of the outer cover; a non-contact electronic sensor array, thenon-contact electronic sensor array comprising a plurality of gassensors, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gasconcentration levels of gases emitted by two or more volatile compoundswithin the absorbent article; a controller configured to detect changesabove a threshold level in the gas concentration levels of the pluralityof gas sensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as theresult of an insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult isurine, bowel movement, or combinations thereof; and a signaling devicethat alerts a user of changes in the gas concentration levels detectedby the controller.
 2. An absorbent article as defined in claim 1,further comprising a housing unit, wherein the housing unit comprisesthe non-contact electronic sensor array, the controller and thesignaling device.
 3. An absorbent article as defined in claim 1, whereinthe non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gas concentrationlevels of fatty alcohols, small chain fatty acids, and sulfur compounds.4. An absorbent article as defined in claim 3, wherein the non-contactelectronic sensor array monitors gas concentration levels associatedwith ammonia, thiols, and indole.
 5. An absorbent article as defined inclaim 1, comprising a gas emitting substance, wherein the gas emittingsubstance emits a gas after an insult within the absorbent article, andwherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gasconcentration levels of the gas emitting substance within the absorbentarticle.
 6. An absorbent article as defined in claim 1, wherein thenon-contact electronic sensor array monitors changes in humidity andtemperature within the absorbent article.
 7. An absorbent article asdefined in claim 1, wherein the signaling device generates an alertselected from an auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal,or combinations thereof.
 8. An absorbent article as defined in claim 7,wherein the signaling device generates an alert that is transmittedwirelessly to a radio at a remote location.
 9. An absorbent article asdefined in claim 1, wherein the signaling device generates an alert thatis transmitted to at least one computer device or smart phone, whereinthe computer device or smart phone is adapted to receive data from thesignaling device, generate at least one report utilizing at least aportion of the data, and provide a user access to the data and the atleast one report.
 10. An absorbent article as defined in claim 7,wherein the alert can be deactivated at or near the absorbent article orremotely.
 11. An absorbent article as defined in claim 2, wherein thehousing unit is in close proximity to the chassis of the absorbentarticle, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array detects thepresence of gases within or around the absorbent article after an insultof urine, bowel movement, or combinations thereof.
 12. An absorbentarticle as defined in claim 1, wherein the volatile compounds are aceticacid, ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, skatole,thiols, indole or combinations thereof.
 13. An absorbent articlecomprising: a chassis comprising an outer cover having an interiorsurface and an exterior surface and an absorbent structure positionedadjacent the interior surface of the outer cover; a gas emittingsubstance, wherein the gas emitting substance emits a gas after aninsult within the absorbent article; a non-contact electronic sensorarray, the non-contact electronic sensor array comprising a plurality ofgas sensors, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitorsgas concentration levels of the gas emitting substance within theabsorbent article; a controller configured to detect changes above athreshold level in the gas concentration levels of the plurality of gassensors within the non-contact electronic sensor array as the result ofan insult within the absorbent article, wherein the insult urine, bowelmovement, or combinations thereof; and a signaling device that alerts auser of changes in the gas concentration levels detected by thecontroller.
 14. An absorbent article as defined in claim 13, furthercomprising a housing unit, wherein the housing unit comprises thenon-contact electronic sensor array, the controller and the signalingdevice.
 15. An absorbent article as defined in claim 13, wherein thesignaling device generates an alert selected from the group consistingof an auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visual signal, andcombinations thereof.
 16. An absorbent article as defined in claim 15,wherein the signaling device generates an alert that is transmittedwirelessly to a radio at a remote location.
 17. An absorbent article asdefined in claim 13, wherein the signaling device generates an alertthat is transmitted to at least one computer device or smart phone,wherein the computer device or smart phone is adapted to receive datafrom the signaling device, generate at least one report utilizing atleast a portion of the data, and provide a user access to the data andthe at least one report.
 18. An absorbent article as defined in claim13, wherein the alert can be deactivated at or near the absorbentarticle or remotely.
 19. An absorbent article as defined in claim 14,wherein the housing unit is in close proximity to the chassis of theabsorbent article, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor arraydetects the presence of gases within or around the absorbent articleafter an insult of urine, bowel movement, or combinations thereof.
 20. Asignaling device comprising: a non-contact electronic sensor array, thenon-contact electronic sensor array comprising a plurality of gassensors, wherein the non-contact electronic sensor array monitors gasconcentration levels of gases emitted by volatile compounds, a gasemitting substance, or combinations thereof within an absorbent article;and a controller configured to detect changes above a threshold level inthe gas concentration levels of the plurality of gas sensors within thenon-contact electronic sensor array as the result of an insult withinthe absorbent article, wherein the insult is urine, bowel movement, orcombinations thereof; wherein the signaling device alerts a user ofchanges in the gas concentration levels detected by the non-contactelectronic sensor array; wherein the signaling device is contained in ahousing unit, wherein the housing unit is in close proximity to theabsorbent article; wherein the signaling device generates at least onealert selected from an auditory signal, a vibratory signal, a visualsignal, or combinations thereof; wherein the signaling device transmitsthe at least one alert remotely to a radio, a computer device, a smartphone, or combinations thereof, wherein the computer device or smartphone is adapted to receive data from the signaling device, generate atleast one report utilizing at least a portion of the data, and provide auser access to the data and the at least one report; and wherein the atleast one alert can be deactivated at or near the absorbent article orremotely.